Tim Gunn Speaker Biography
Fashion Icon, Best-Selling Author and Emmy Award-Winning Television Host, Project Runway and Making The Cut
Tim Gunn is an Emmy Award-winning television personality, fashion industry icon and New York Times Bestselling author. He became a household name as co-host and mentor for 16 seasons of Lifetime’s Project Runway, alongside Heidi Klum. In 2013, he and Klum won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program. The iconic duo reunited to co-create and co-host Amazon’s design competition series, Making The Cut. In addition to his television prowess, he is an accomplished business executive, serving as the Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne, Inc. and Fashion Dean at Fifth & Pacific, where he was responsible for attracting, retaining and developing the creative talent within their portfolio of brands.
Fashion Design Icon
Gunn began his fashion career at Parsons School of Design, serving as a member of the administration and faculty for 29 years. As the Chair of the Department of Fashion Design at Parsons, he was charged with retooling and invigorating the curriculum for the 21st century. Under his direction, the department was repositioned as the indisputable leader in fashion design education in America and as one of only a handful of leading programs in the world. Upon leaving Parsons, Gunn received the title of Honorary Chair of Fashion Design at the school.
Books
Gunn is a New York Times best-selling author penning, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style, Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work, and Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet. His most recent book, The Natty Professor: A Master Class on Mentoring, Motivating, and Making It Work!, imparts valuable insights from his personal experiences on themes like truth-telling, empathy, teaching and learning.
Publications
In addition to authoring multiple books, Gunn has written for publications like Elle, Seventeen, People, Marie Claire and Fortune and has had interviews featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and Fast Company, among others. He has covered the red carpet at the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Golden Globes for The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, and ABC.
Activism
Throughout his career, Gunn has fought to ban the use of fur in fashion, joining forces with PETA to support fur ban bills in New York City and California. From his time at Parsons to his work on Project Runway and Making The Cut, he has played a pivotal role in carving a space for the LGBTQ+ community in the fashion industry and beyond.
Keynote Speaker
Gunn speaks to audiences all over the world about his years of experience in fashion, lifestyle design, education, and mentorship, sharing valuable lessons for ‘Making it Work’ in business, relationships and life.
Tim Gunn Speaking Topics
Making It Work: A Conversation with Tim Gunn
As America’s favorite reality TV co-host and mentor to scores of design hopefuls, Tim Gunn is known for his kind but firm approach in providing wisdom, guidance, and support. With his signature warmth, candor and wit, Tim shares valuable lessons learned throughout his personal and professional life and challenges he overcame along the way. At all stages of his career – from educator to television host – Tim has always lived by his catchphrase “Make It Work.” In this inspirational talk, he will leave audiences with the tools they need to “Make It Work” in their career, relationships, and life.
Tim Gunn Books
Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible
Purchase Book
Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style
Purchase Book
Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work
Purchase BookTim Gunn Videos
Tim Gunn Speaker Testimonials
Tim was so wonderful to our star-struck guests (and staff!) He arrived early and stayed late, graciously chatting, signing autographs, and posing for photos. As an emcee, Tim thrilled guests at the show by sharing behind-the-scenes stories about Project Runway and about Denver’s own Mondo Guerra.
- | Goodwill Industries of Denver
Tim was wonderful!!! I could write paragraphs about how much so… He was personable, engaging, and approachable. He is so authentic, and his story was so real and that really resonated with my donors and audience. Many, many people commented to me that they thought it was our best luncheon yet. Along with so many more people, I am indebted to Tim for having the courage to share his story with us—with honesty, humor, and grace. And for helping to forward the DBSA mission in a very meaningful way I am SOOOOO glad Tim was our speaker and can’t thank you and your team enough for ensuring this luncheon was a beautiful success!!! I wish I had been able to give Tim a big hug and thank you before he left—if you can please extend my heartfelt thanks to him that would be great. Please feel free to contact me if there is anything further I can do.
- | Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, Texas
Mr. Tim Gunn is one of the finest human beings I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. The response from every corner of my world has been overwhelming. Mr. Gunn was genuine, full of grace, kind, and extremely generous. Tim left an indelible impression on our students who will never forget the experiences he provided them.
- | Illinois State University
Warm, caring, giving, funny - I can't say enough positive things about him. The crowd absolutely adored him and it was the biggest seated and standing room only crowd we've seen.
- | Erickson Publishing
